diff --git a/docs/intro.md b/docs/intro.md index ec1ee4be5..97f7f6596 100644 --- a/docs/intro.md +++ b/docs/intro.md @@ -69,16 +69,19 @@ Results from these simulations are then processed across the project's lifecycle Depending on the models used and the size of the system, H2Integrate can simulate systems ranging from the kW to GW scale in seconds on a personal computer. Additionally, H2Integrate tracks the flow of electricity, molecules (e.g., hydrogen, ammonia, methanol), and other products (e.g., steel) between different technologies in the energy system. +For each technology there are 4 different types of models: control, performance, cost, and finance. These model categories allow for modular pieces to be brought in or re-used throughout H2Integrate, as well as ease of development and organization. Note that the only required models for a technology are performance and cost, while control and finance are optional. The figure below shows these four categories and some of the technologies included in H2Integrate. For a full list of models available, please see [Model Overview](user_guide/model_overview.md). +![A representation of a single technology model in H2Integrate](tech-model.png) -H2Integrate models hybrid energy systems by: -- Generating electricity output profiles from renewable energy sources (e.g., wind, solar, hydro) and storage systems (e.g., batteries, pumped hydro, vanadium flow batteries) -- Modeling the performance of hydrogen electrolyzers, steel furnaces, methanol plants, or ammonia synthesis systems using the generated electricity profiles -- Performing techno-economic analysis of the system to evaluate its costs and financial viability +The individual technology models are then connected to create the hybrid system model, as shown in the simplistic example below. Here, data from the performance, cost, and finance models of the grid and battery technologies feed into the overall system performance and finance calculations. There is also a physical connection between the grid and battery performance models in the form of an electrical cable. Lastly, within the battery technology, the control model and performance models are connected for dispatching of electricity. +![A representation of a system model in H2Integrate](system-model.png) -This process is shown for an example energy system in the figure below: +If technologies require resource or price profiles, they can be provided by the user, or in many cases pulled automatically from existing databases. The costs and performance of the technology models in the system are combined into system-level performance and finance components for techno-economic analysis of the hybrid system. H2Integrate systems may include multiple system-level finance models to assess results with different system boundaries if desired. Besides simulation and analysis, H2Integrate can also perform system and sub-system optimization. +A more complex and generalized example of an H2Integrate model is shown below: ![H2Integrate Splash Image](./splash_image.png) +The modular nature of the H2Integrate system makes adding custom models, including proprietary models for local analysis only, very straightforward. + ## How does H2Integrate differ from other tools? H2Integrate is developed at NREL, which has a long history of developing high-quality tools for renewable energy systems. diff --git a/docs/system-model.png b/docs/system-model.png new file mode 100644 index 000000000..e2e80e034 Binary files /dev/null and b/docs/system-model.png differ diff --git a/docs/tech-model.png b/docs/tech-model.png new file mode 100644 index 000000000..a9ed943cf Binary files /dev/null and b/docs/tech-model.png differ